CCOs, Govt panned in survey of Aucklanders

More than half of Aucklanders oppose their water, transport and roads being run by unelected boards under the Government's Super City reforms.

A Herald-DigiPoll survey asked 731 respondents across Auckland if they supported the Government's unilateral decision on which services would be run by council-controlled organisations, amounting to 75 per cent of council services.

Only 32.4 per cent said they supported it, while 58.8 per cent were opposed.

Council-controlled organisations (CCOs) are business units with their own boards of directors. They allow councils to make use of commercial skills and specialist expertise that might not be available within councils.

But the Government's proposal in the final piece of Super City legislation has aroused widespread criticism of the accountability of water, waterfront development and transport CCOs.

Critics of the legislation include the two top contenders to be mayor of the new Auckland Council.

Yesterday, Auckland City Mayor John Banks said the poll showed clearly that the roles, functions and execution of the organisations' responsibilities had not been spelled out.

"Wherever I go people ask whether they will get the same level of service."

However, he said he was "quietly confident" CCOs could work and that the Government would change legislation to deal with most concerns - perceived or real.

He had been such a prominent proponent of a greater Auckland Council that he had become a lightning rod for concerns.